Getting Past the Bottleneck

At the Recent Baptism

My dearest family,

I have so much to tell you this week. It has been amazing! [Sister X] got baptized on Thursday and it was one of the best baptisms I have been to. She shared her testimony at the end and it was so powerful. She is the 18 year old that Sister Schofield and I taught last transfer with her mom. Her mom is planning on getting baptized the 25th of this month! I am so happy for them. 

Also, more great news, [Brother X] CAME TO CHURCH! We were walking down his street last Monday and he chased us down to tell us how sorry he was that he couldn't make it. His nephew passed away that morning and he went to be with family. He loved church though and said that he is looking forward to coming again next week. Everyone in the ward was so welcoming. He was even participating in the classes. 

Last week we had a lesson with him and his friend walked in the house. [Brother X] stopped the lesson and said to his friend, "When can you meet with these missionaries?" His friend told him the day that he would be available and then [Brother X] said, "okay, and what time works best for you?" He set up a time to meet with us and then [Brother X] asked him for his phone number and his information so that we could teach him. It was awesome! He is already a great missionary. We had the lesson later in the week with his friend and he sat in. At the end of the lesson we invited his friend to be baptized. He seemed unsure and said he didn't know yet. Then [Brother X] jumped in and said, "Mira. Las hermanas no han ensenado la importancia  del bautiso en su salvacion" (Look. The Sisters haven't taught you about the importance of baptism in your salvation.) Haha! It was so awesome! Then his friend said okay but he needed more time. [Brother X] is planning on getting baptized on the 11th of this month, so in a week! Everything has happened so fast that we might move it back a week to make sure he is ready, but we are going to meet with him tonight and see how he feels about it. I love teaching him and seeing the changes in his life! 

We are also teaching a guy named [Brother X]. He is so funny! We had a really powerful lesson with him a few nights ago about the plan of salvation and he seemed to really understand it. He didn't come to church though but we are still going to work with him. He accepted the baptism invite but not a date. He said he wants to read and learn more first. Halloween was great.

President and his wife invited my companion and I to come to their house and pass out candy to all of the kids. It was so much fun! The kids were so cute. We had our ward halloween party this week which was also fun. I love the little kids in our ward! 

Sisters Layton and Poulson

This week we had another sisters meeting. President was telling us about how much the missionary work is growing now that the age is lowered. He said that they have had so many new people who have turned in their papers since the announcement that they would already be able to open 60 new missions. That is amazing! 

We are going to be getting a lot of new missionaries in our mission and president said that a lot of them would be sisters. Do you know if any of the cousins have turned in their papers? 

This week we have a member of the 70 coming for our zone conference which should be awesome! Also, this weekend is transfers so we will see if I say here or not. I hope so!!! Transfer week always makes me nervous because I love this area and ward. 

Anyway, I hope all is well for you guys! Eric, keep up the good work! I can't wait until you are out in the field! :) Love you all!